Thoughtful docudrama re-creating the experiences of an idealistic French literature teacher (Francois Begaudeau), over the course of an academic year, as he tries to connect with a class of ethnically mixed students in a depressed Paris neighborhood. Director and co-writer Laurent Cantet's innovative approach—using actual students, and combining their stories with incidents recounted in real-life instructor Begaudeau's fact-based novel to shape the script—yields an engrossing meditation on social and class divisions and on the possibilities, and limits, of an educator's vocation. In French. Subtitles. Probably acceptable for older teens. Some rough and crude language, sexual references, at least one use of profanity. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-III—adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13—parents strongly cautioned; some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.